Sealable apparatus with data- and energy transmission through electromagnetic induction

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the transmission of data and energy to sealed elements of sealable apparatus. To do so, the invention proposes the use of two antennas for electromagnetic induction. The non-cabled transmission of data and energy makes possible a random allocation of sealed elements into a plurality of receiving apparatus.

The invention relates to a closable compartment, in particular to a closable compartment in the form of a lavatory, a galley, an oven, a refrigerator or a food store, and to a closure element which closes the corresponding compartment. More precisely expressed, the invention relates to a closable compartment on board an aircraft.

It is well known that information containing the content of the compartment, in particular the number and type of stored items, the point in time of storing the items, the date of expiry of the items, the temperature, ambient humidity and ambient pressure within the closable compartment, can be obtained in that the closure of the compartment is opened and the items are individually checked. Furthermore, such information can at least in part be obtained by means of a window.

Starting with a centralised or decentralised information storage device and existing RFID technology, in known closable compartments whose closure element does not make a translational movement, or only makes a limited translational movement, information transfer can be guided to a display by means of cables and the information can be shown on said display. However, in the case of cables, in particular in the case of membrane cables, mechanical bending load or rotation load of the cable during external mechanical action can result, which load jeopardises the reliability of transmission. Furthermore, depending on the number and diameter of the cable cores, cable length and ambient temperature at the cable, stiffness results which is counter to flexible usage of the device. This applies in particular to mechanical elements that are movable in a translational manner, which elements are electrically connected by means of one cable or several cables, because mechanical movement is made more difficult and is impeded as a result of the cable(s).

In the case of aircraft the known transmission of energy and information by way of cables results in an undesirable increase in weight and thus the associated increase in kerosene consumption.

Cable-free signal transmission in the field of aircraft construction is known from WO 2007/006749 A1 and DE 10 2005 032 141 A1.

It is the object of the invention to create a flexibly-usable transmission of information for closable compartments, wherein the least possible additional weight is to arise as a result of the transmission path, and wherein the information is processed so as to be easily accessible and acquirable by the user.

This object is met by a closable compartment according to claim 1.

The closable compartment comprises a holding device for holding a content, comprising a closure opening and a first antenna, and a closure element for closing the closure opening in a closure position. The closure element comprises a second antenna and a display device for displaying content information relating to the content present within the compartment. In the closure position the first antenna is directly opposite the second antenna. In the closure position a data protocol relating to the content information as well as electrical energy for operating the display device are transmitted by means of electromagnetic induction from the first antenna to the second antenna.

As a result of the wireless transmission of energy and data by means of the electromagnetic coupling there is no longer a need for a cable connection with its associated disadvantages. It is also possible to do without batteries, large capacitors or other energy storage devices because information and thus the energy for the display device are needed only if the closure element is in the closure position. There is no need to provide stand-by operation of the closure device.

In an exemplary embodiment it is preferred if in the closure position data is transmitted by way of electromagnetic induction from the second antenna to the first antenna. In other words the transmission of information can take place in a bi-directional manner by way of the two antennae. The antennae can be coils with a copper winding, which coils can be arranged relative to each other in a manner that is known per se. However, an arrangement in which the winding axes of each coil in the closure position are aligned on a straight line, where the coil cores thus face each other, is a preferred arrangement.

In a further exemplary embodiment bi-directional data transmission can be used if the closure element, for example a sliding door, comprises an input device, in particular in the form of a membrane keyboard or a circuit element. If the closable compartment is an oven or a refrigerator or some other location for storing foodstuffs, for example a galley, then by means of the input device the interior temperature displayed on the display device can be adjusted.

In a further exemplary embodiment the closure element or the holding device comprises at least one more receiving element, in particular in the form of a sensor, an infrared detector or a radio receiver.

If, for example, a product comprising an RFID chip is situated in the closure opening, the information stored on the RFID chip can be received by the receiving element in the form of a radio receiver.

The closable compartment can be a lavatory, a galley device, an oven, a refrigerator or a food store, in particular on board an aircraft. In the context of these devices, wireless transmission of information and energy offers an ideal and suitable supplement in relation to the information requirements of a user. For it is only in the closure position that information is made available, and it is only in this position that information is indeed required. Furthermore, in particular in the case of the above-mentioned compartments or devices, it is ensured that when content information is displayed the closure position has in fact been attained, which represents an additional security advantage and makes it significantly easier to check that doors are closed, because a short glance at the display unit is sufficient, in this case even without the information provided having to be cognitively acquired.

A further embodiment provides for the closable compartment to comprise a multitude of holding devices in each case for holding a content, and to comprise a multitude of closure elements, and wherein each closure element is designed in such a manner that it can close each and any of the holding devices in the closure position. Independence relating to the allocation is particularly advantageous. In particular, the present arrangement provides an advantage in that the energy supply also takes place by way of induction. In a case where the closure elements provide their own energy, for example by means of batteries, there is a danger of the content of each holding device theoretically not being displayed in current operation if there is no energy or insufficient energy of a single closure element. Furthermore, in an advantageous manner there is no maintenance or replacement of batteries.

In a further embodiment it is further preferred if a first closure element of the closable compartment can be laterally led past a second closure element that is in the closure position. This further improves the flexible use of the closable compartment.

In a further embodiment it is preferred if the closure elements are held and guided by rails or a sliding guide. In the case of a plural number of rails or sliding guides it may be necessary to provide junction elements in order to lead the closure elements to other rails. Of course, not only in this design, basically each closure element is to be brought to the closure position with each holding device.

The device according to the invention is, in particular, suitable for use on board aircraft. However, it is understood that other means of transport where there are similar design restrictions are also eminently suitable, for example trains, ships and boats, submarines or buses.

The invention is to be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are to be understood only as schematic diagrams and do not in any way signify any limitations to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic top section view of a closable compartment,

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a closure element of the device shown in FIG. 1.

The closable compartment 1 diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 comprises two walls 2, 3 that form part of a holding device 4 and that limit the latter to the outside. The content 5 of the holding device 4, in the present embodiment a galley box for hot or cold meals for the passengers of an aircraft, comprises three products, namely product A and two products B. In a closure position a closure element 6 hermetically seals the holding device 4 towards the outside, which is, in particular, achieved by sealing lips 7.

The closure element 6 further comprises a display device 10 in the form of a flat LCD display.

The right-hand wall 2 of the holding device comprises an antenna 8 in the form of a copper coil, which antenna 8 is directly opposite a further antenna 9 that is integrated in the closure element.

In the closure position a data protocol for content information as well as electrical energy for operating the display device are transmitted, by means of electromagnetic induction, from the first antenna to the second antenna in a manner that is known per se.

To this effect, prior to being fed to the antenna 8 and/or 9, signals can be modulated, encoded/decoded, clock-pulsed, filtered, or processed in some other way in a manner that is known per se. FIG. 1 shows a signal processing unit 11 in which the data information is separated from the energy transmission and is further processed for display on the display unit 10. A further signal processing unit, for example comprising a microprocessor, storage device, clock pulse generator, or filter, is arranged upstream of the antenna 8, but is not shown in the present diagram.

FIG. 2 again illustrates the closure element 6 and the antenna 9 as well as the display device 10 for displaying content information relating to the content situated within the holding device. The diagram shows that apart from the number and type of the products (1×A, 2×B), a date, for example an expiry date or date of storage relating to the products, is displayed several times. Furthermore, the temperature in the interior of the holding device is displayed (5 degrees Celsius).

Moreover, FIG. 2 shows an input device 11 in the form of a membrane keyboard, by means of which with corresponding menu navigation, for example, the temperature can be changed. Since it is only in the closure position that energy is fed to the closure element 6 in the form of a sliding door, it is necessary to wait with the input until the initialising process for connecting the display 10 to the energy supply and for the data transmission to be finished, and for a data transfer protocol to be correspondingly completed. By means of the membrane keyboard 11, data is transmitted, by way of electromagnetic induction, from the second antenna 9 to the first antenna 8 (bidirectional use).

Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows a receiving element 12 in the form of an infrared detector, wherein in the present embodiment the detection of users in the region of the closure element is made possible. If, for example, a person approaches the vicinity of the display device, thus moving closer than a predeterminable distance, some other information can be displayed which differs from the previously displayed information, for example more detailed information displayed in a smaller font.

Returning to FIG. 1, the diagram indicates that the closable compartment comprises a plural number of holding devices 4, arranged side-by-side, each intended to hold a content, and comprises a plural number of closure elements 6, 6′, 6″, and wherein each closure element 6, 6′, 6″ is guided in such a manner that it can close any of the holding devices 4 in the closure position, wherein a first closure element 6′ of the closable compartment can be laterally led past a second closure element 6 that is in the closure position. The diagram also shows that the closure elements are held and guided by a sliding guide 13. Furthermore, the holding device also comprises elements 14 for detecting RFID tags so that the content of the closable compartment can always be updated. Moreover, a temperature sensor 15 to determine the interior temperature of the holding device 4 is also provided. 

1. A closable compartment comprising: a holding device for holding a content comprising a closure opening and a first antenna; a closure element for closing the closure opening in a closure position; wherein the closure element comprises a second antenna and a display device for displaying content information relating to the content present within the holding device; wherein the first antenna is in the vicinity and opposite the second antenna when the closure element is in the closure position; wherein the closure element comprises a receiving element selected from the group consisting of a sensor, an infrared detector, a radio receiver, and a combination thereof, the receiving element being adapted to detect the presence of users in the vicinity of the display device and the distance of the users from the display device.
 2. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein the display device is configured such that the displayed content information is displayed in detail, if the detected distance between a user and the display device is less than a predetermined distance.
 3. The closable compartment of claim 2, wherein data is transmitted via electromagnetic induction from the second antenna to the first antenna when the closure element is in the closure position.
 4. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises an input device selected from the group consisting of a membrane keyboard, a circuit element, and a combination thereof.
 5. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein the holding device is selected from the group consisting of a lavatory, a galley device, an oven, a refrigerator, a food store, and a combination thereof.
 6. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein the closure element is a sliding door.
 7. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein the closable compartment comprises a plurality of holding devices each designed to hold the content, and comprising a plurality of closure elements, each designed to close each and any of the holding devices in the closure position.
 8. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein a first closure element of the closable compartment is laterally movable past a second closure element that is in the closure position.
 9. The closable compartment of claim 1, wherein the closure element is held and guided by at least one of rails or a sliding guide.
 10. An aircraft comprising the closable compartment of claim
 1. 